Weigh In on Global Patent Application Forms
Published Date: 11/21/2025
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is asking for your thoughts on renewing a form related to the Patent Cooperation Treaty, which helps inventors apply for patents internationally. This update won’t cost you extra money but aims to keep paperwork simple and clear. You’ve got 30 days from November 21, 2025, to share your comments and help shape the process!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
PCT Form Renewal Keeps Filing Requirements
If you file international patent applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, the USPTO is renewing the information collection (OMB Control Number 0651-0021). The renewal covers private-sector filers with an estimated 412,493 respondents and responses, takes between 0.25 and 4 hours per response, totals 343,739 annual burden hours, and carries an estimated $452,878,858 in annual non-hourly costs. Responding is required to obtain or retain patent-processing benefits under the treaty.
Mailing Cost Increase for PCT Submissions
If you mail PCT submissions, the postage estimate used by the USPTO rose from $10.40 to $11.20 for the Priority Mail legal flat rate envelope. That change increased the estimated postage costs from $42,900 to $46,200 and added $3,300 to the total annual non-hourly cost burden.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-17524, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Appeals
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (hereafter "USPTO" or "Agency") will submit the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, on or after the date of publication of this notice. The USPTO invites comments on the information collection renewal of 0651-0063, which helps the USPTO assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the reporting burden to the public. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register on April 20, 2026, during a 60-day comment period (91 FR 20986). This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments.
2026-17525, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Substantive Submissions Made During the Prosecution of the Trademark Application
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (hereafter "USPTO" or "Agency"), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on the extension and revision of an existing information collection: 0651-0054 (Substantive Submissions Made During the Prosecution of the Trademark Application). The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comments preceding submission of the information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
2026-16744, Request for Comments on Community Outreach Office Locations in the Southwest States
The USPTO wants your ideas on where to open new community outreach offices in the Southwest states like Arizona and Texas. These offices will help inventors, small businesses, and students get better support with patents. Share your thoughts by September 16, 2026, so the USPTO can pick the best spots and keep innovation booming without extra costs to you!
2026-16315, Administrative Updates to the General Requirements Bulletin for Admission to the Examination for Registration To Practice in Patent Cases Before the United States Patent and Trademark Office
Starting August 11, 2026, the USPTO is upgrading Biomedical Science degrees from Category B to Category A for patent bar eligibility. This means more people with this degree can now take the patent exam and become patent practitioners. No extra fees or delays—just a smoother path for those with the right science background to join the patent world!
2026-14941, Grant of Interim Extension of the Term of U.S. Patent No. 8,461,196; Centanafadine Hydrochloride
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical got a one-year extra patent life for their drug centanafadine hydrochloride because the FDA review is still going on. This means they keep exclusive rights to the drug until July 25, 2027, giving them more time to sell it without competition. This extension helps the company protect their investment while the drug gets final approval.
2026-14939, Grant of Interim Extension of the Term of U.S. Patent No. 8,877,798; Centanafadine Hydrochloride
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical got a one-year extra patent life for their drug centanafadine hydrochloride because the FDA review is still going on. This means their patent, which was set to expire on July 25, 2026, now lasts until July 25, 2027. This extension helps Otsuka keep exclusive rights to their drug a bit longer while waiting for final FDA approval.
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Previous: 2025-20514, Thermoformed Molded Fiber Products From China and Vietnam; Revised Schedule for the Subject Proceeding
The U.S. International Trade Commission is updating the timeline for reviewing thermoformed molded fiber products from China and Vietnam. Deadlines for filing briefs and comments have shifted to late November and early December 2025 due to a government shutdown delay. This affects businesses involved in importing or competing with these products and signals when final decisions and possible trade actions will happen.
Next: 2025-20516, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Legal Processes
The USPTO is asking for your thoughts on renewing a form they use to handle legal matters involving their employees. This update won’t cost you money but helps keep paperwork simple and fair. If you want to share your opinion, make sure to do it by December 22, 2025!